America’s obesity epidemic is far from over, and its effects have become clear. Diabetes, which is commonly caused by obesity, has taken its place as one of the most prevalent medical conditions. Almost 30 million Americans have diabetes, and another 86 million have prediabetes, making them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It is projected that unless we take drastic steps to stop diabetes, as many as one in three American adults will have it by 2050. Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not make enough insulin (Type 1) or cannot use its insulin as well as it should (Type 2), resulting in sugar building up in the blood and blood glucose levels rising above normal. Symptoms include (but are not limited to) frequent urination, … Read entire article »

Facebook timelines were drenched in ice bucket videos this summer, as millions of people around the globe doused themselves in ice water. As the amount of videos increased, ALS became synonymous with the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS (Amyotrphic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease causes motor neurons to die, eventually making it impossible for the brain to initiate and control muscle movement. At the beginning, patients may experience muscle weakness and difficulties with speech, swallowing, or breathing. In the later stages of the disease, patients may become completely paralyzed.
The idea of challenging people to either douse themselves in cold water or donate to a charity has been popular in the sports arena … Read entire article »

I was home in Chicago when I heard the news. My mom had just picked me up after a long day of work, and I was dialing the Tufts phone number to inquire about on-campus housing. As I was about to press “call,” my mom asked me, “Did you hear about the explosions at the Boston Marathon?” Quickly, I closed my phone. Having attended Emerson College for undergraduate school, located just a few blocks away from the Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, Boston was my second home. When she told me about the explosions, we did not yet know if they were terrorist attacks. The week continued and as the events unfolded, I prayed for the swift recovery of this incredibly strong city. One year later, as a Tufts … Read entire article »

Each year, millions of people walk for hundreds of causes from cancer to infertility, from hunger to education. I have walked for several different causes, but most of them have been for epilepsy. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was thirteen, and the cause is near and dear to my heart. When I attended the National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington DC this year, however, it was no longer just about me or my epilepsy. It was my first year attending as a public health student, and it was the first time I realized why walks for causes are more than just fundraising events. They are a way of improving public health, especially for conditions that are difficult to manage or are highly stigmatized. My experiences have taught me … Read entire article »